Expedition and Mountain

Our Expedition and Mountain Survival Courses in Scotland are designed to give attendees an insight into the planning and preparation stages, along with the safe and successful execution of an expedition both at home and abroad. From weather forecasting, navigation and safe route choice, equipment and clothing to specialist equipment and communications use.

You can book your Expedition Course now with our online booking system, please check course dates for availability. Once you have booked your course you will receive an email confirming the course and payment details. Remember to download the available resources for your course and bring them with you when you start.

We have a range of courses to suit everyone, for more information on our Expedition and Mountain Survival Courses in Scotland please do contact us. We look forward to welcoming you in the 2020 season.

To make sure you choose the right course we have introduced a difficulty rating based on the physical and mental challenges on our courses. This is explained below.

“Courses with this rating are suitable for all. There is a small amount of physical hardship with a small amount of walking. Courses are suitable for 18+”

“Courses with this rating are suitable for all. There is a reasonable amount of walking and some forms of physical output. Courses are suitable for 18+”

“Courses with this rating are suitable for 18+. There is a significant amount of physical output, perhaps over a number of days. Time may be spent overnight in poor weather with minimum equipment. A certain amount of mental robustness is needed to complete.”

“Courses with this rating are suitable for 18+. There is significant physical output sometimes over multi-day, and often in Hostile habitats i.e high mountains etc. Equipment/food may be stripped back (if woodland based) or large rucksacks carried (if mountain based). Temperatures may be sub-zero or excessively high. A good level of mental robustness is needed. Special attention should be given to the kit lists available.”

“Courses with this rating are suitable for 18+. There is sustained physical output over multi-days, potentially carrying up to 40lbs, often in high/mountain terrain. Long “hill days” may be necessary, for this reason a good level of fitness is needed. Weather and temperatures are likely to be sub-zero or excessively high. Special attention should be given to kit lists available.”

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1 Day Navigation Skills Training Course £100

The Overview for the 1 Day Navigation Skills Training Course includes the following:

INTRODUCTION

This course is for anyone interested in learning about navigation or wanting to brush up on their knowledge.

WHERE

The course will be based in and around our Bothy in Alvie Estate.

AIM

The aim of this course is to provide attendees with the knowledge and experience in navigational skills that will allow them to have the confidence to put the skills into practice in their own time. This will also aid attendees in being able to confidently and competently plan and prepare hikes and expeditions using correct methods of navigation.

 

The Itinerary for the 1 Day Navigation Skills Training Course includes the following:

Depending on the level of knowledge/experience of the group the following will be covered:

  • Introduction to maps and care and use of maps
  • Map Scales used by hill walkers
  • The Grid System and 4 and 6 figure Grid references
  • Map Symbols and using features to aid navigation
  • Contour Lines and basic interpretation
  • Use of the compass to take bearings from a map
  • Walking on a bearing
  • Pacing
  • Identifying and using handrails and maintaining position with an orientated map
  • Recognising the shape of the ground on a map and on the ground
  • Planning a route and implementing a route plan

We will also aim to cover other related topics such as emergency procedures for if anything goes wrong (injury or getting lost), emergency action plans, bad weather planning and how to prepare for an expedition.

 

Date Time Spaces Price Book
12 June 2021 09:30 - 17:00 10 £100 Book Now

Please download these resources for your information

Joining Instructions
Kit List
Disclosure of Risk
Lymes Pamphlet

Lairig Ghru Expedition £300

The Overview for the Lairig Ghru Expedition includes the following:

INTRODUCTION

This 3 Day Expedition provides a hands on Bushcraft and Mountain experience. It will equip attendees with the skills and knowledge to be able to carry out their own multi-day trips in remote regions.

This course is ideal for anyone who is just getting into hill walking/mountaineering, or the experienced hill walker that wants to expand their knowledge of wild camping and safety aspects.

WHERE

The Lairig Ghru is one of the best known hill-passes in Scotland, it passes through the centre of the Cairngorms National Park and climbs to an altitude of 835 metres. It is one of the wildest areas in the country. It runs roughly north-south from Aviemore to Braemar.

SKILLS COVERED

Weather forecasting and interpretation

Mountain Weather information Service, Met Office and Synoptic chart interpretation

Equipment and kit needed for multi-day trips in the mountains
Packing for an expedition, rucksack packing demo, gas/fuel stove demonstrations, survival equipment and clothing/sleeping systems

Safe Route choice and planning

Naismith’s rule, timings and contour appreciation.

Navigational skills, map and compass as well as GPS

Orientating map to the ground, taking bearings, timing and pacing, contour appreciation. Introduction to GPS, and when it’s appropriate to use.

Tent choice and wild camping

Tunnel vs Dome vs Geodesic tents, when to us and why. Picking a wild camping pitch in an upland environment. pitching and tips.

Expedition food and nutrition/water safety

Sedimentation, filtration and purification of water in an upland environment. Man-made filter on the market.

FITNESS

Candidates must have a good level of fitness. If you have any questions regarding fitness levels please contact us before booking on this course.

 

Date Time Spaces Price Book
6 August 2021 09:30 - 17:00 2 £300 Book Now

Please download these resources for your information

Joining Instructions
Kit List
Disclosure of Risk
Lymes Pamphlet

Three Day Mountain Exped Skills – Cairngorm 4000’s £360.00

The Overview for the Three Day Mountain Exped Skills – Cairngorm 4000’s includes the following:

The first of two wild camp @ 1100 meters in Coire Domhain. One of Britain’s true wilderness spots

Introduction

This course is designed to equip attendees with the skills and knowledge to be able to carry out their own multi-day trips in mountainous regions. The secondary aim is to climb 4 of the 9 4000 foot mountains, and ascend 5 of the 6 highest mountains in Britain.

This course is ideal for anyone who is just getting into hill walking/mountaineering, or the experienced hill walker that wants to expand their knowledge of wild camping and safety aspects.

 

Where

The course is run in the Cairngorms National Park, in the highlands of Scotland. The Cairngorms National Park is the largest in Europe and is home to 5 of the 6 highest mountains in Britain. The Cairngorms is the highest, coldest and snowiest plateau in the British Isles, closely mimicking an Arctic tundra.

 

Skills Covered

Weather forecasting and interpretation

Mountain Weather information Service, Met Office and Synoptic chart interpretation

Equipment and kit needed for multi-day trips in the mountains
Packing for an expedition, rucksack packing demo, gas/fuel stove demonstrations, survival equipment and clothing/sleeping systems

Safe Route choice and planning

Naismith’s rule, timings and contour appreciation.

Navigational skills, map and compass as well as GPS

Orientating map to the ground, taking bearings, timing and pacing, contour appreciation. Introduction to GPS, and when it’s appropriate to use.

Tent choice and wild camping

Tunnel vs Dome vs Geodesic tents, when to us and why. Picking a wild camping pitch in an upland environment. pitching and tips.

Expedition food and nutrition/water safety

Sedimentation, filtration and purification of water in an upland environment. Man-made filter on the market.

Fitness

Due to the number of mountains climbed (7), over all distance, weight carried and height gain, individuals must have a good level of fitness. If you have any questions regarding fitness levels please contact us before booking on this course.

Difficulty Rating

The Itinerary for the Three Day Mountain Exped Skills – Cairngorm 4000’s includes the following:

Itinerary

Itinerary will vary according to weather conditions and group ability. The following is a rough outline.

Day 1

• Meet and greet, as per joining instructions
• Weather forecasting, different resources to be used. Introduction to Synoptic charts.
• Kit check and equipment talk
• How to pack a bag for an expedition in the Mountains
• Depart from Cairngorm Mountain Car Park and Ascend Cairngorm (1245m)
• Wild camp on the Plateau above 1000 meters

Day 2

• Ascend Ben Macdhui (1309 metres and Britains second highest peak)
• Ascend Carn a Mhaim
• Wild camp in the Lairig Ghru

Day 3

• Ascend Devils peak, Cairn Toul, Angels Peak and Braeriach.
• End Ex

 

Date Time Spaces Price Book
27 August 2021 09:30 - 17:00 5 £360 Book Now

Please download these resources for your information

Joining Instructions
Risk Disclosure
Kit List
Lymes Disease Pamphlet